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Volume
6, Issue 12
June 16, 2002
www.TheRibbon.com
1104A Murfreesboro Pike
PMB 114
Nashville, TN 37217-1918
Another possibly bittersweet occasion....Father's Day.
What do you give the man who has everything he needs or wants or
the man who possibly doesn't even know who you are? The
answer is TIME!!! Go visit your Father, Grandfather, or
Husband and spend some time just being there. Hold his hand,
give him a hug or a kiss. As my friend, Jan, has on her
emails....The Heart Always Remembers!!
My Grandmother heard me discussing Father's day with my
mother the other day. She asked me in an incredulous voice,
"Are you going to buy her a Father's Day
gift?" I thought for a moment and said, "You know
what, I should. My mom has been both Father and Mother to all
of us kids for the majority of our lives." I don't
remember exactly how old I was when my parents divorced but I do
know that my father was not around for most of my life. My mom
wasn't perfect but she managed to keep a roof over our heads one
way or the other and some kind of food in our mouths.
Some fathers passed away early and Mom had to raise the
kids. It's a struggle for Single moms, no matter how they
became single moms.
Today, I will go to the cemetary and visit my Father's
grave. I will visit Bree's grave, he is the grandfather who
along with Nanny took me and my brother in when it was too much
for mama. I will also visit Peepaw's grave, he is my mom's dad
and the man who taught all of us morals. I will also walk next
door and thank my mother for doing her best for all of us 6 kids.
Jamie
Technical Difficulties
At The Ribbon
I'm
sure that many of you realized that the last issue of The Ribbon was a week late. A week before it was due, I discovered that I had somehow received a virus, perhaps what they call a "worm" in my
computer. It didn't remove everything, just some things.
However, my biggest fear was that I could potentially spread it
through e-mails to The Ribbon readers.
So my mission was to "reformat" my computer which meant
wiping out my hard drive and reinstalling everything.
Thankfully, it did not remove my address book. It was a
difficult week for me but, with the help of some very kind Dell
technicians, I have everything back.
The experience made me realize how important it is to keep the
Anti-virus program updated (mine was out-of-date...Never again
will that happen!!) and again, how important it is to be careful
of what you download and/or open in the way of mail.
Please be careful. If you don't know the sender, delete it.
For The
Ribbon readers, I would ask that in the future, you
include the word Ribbon in the subject line of anything you send
to me.
Again, my apologies for the lateness of the last issue but I
wanted to be sure I did not pass anything on to you.
Karen
The Ribbon
...And today's weather report...hazy, hot, and humid...
It's that time of year again when cicadas sing, mosquitoes bite, and
the air conditioner runs nonstop. Summer in many parts of the
country is lazy, hazy, and HOT and for our older loved ones
dangerous, too. Hot humid conditions are perfect set-ups for
heat exhaustion, dehydration, and breathing problems in healthy
younger people, but in older adults they can be a formula for
disaster. Here's a brief picture of normal changes with aging
that put us at greater risk for problems: the body's temperature
control mechanism becomes less efficient and cooling through
perspiring is diminished, bodily water content decreases, and
lung capacity is reduced. In general, there are fewer reserves
available to call upon in time of need. Now, add chronic
diseases like cardiac, lung, or dementia, and older adults become
disasters waiting to happen. So, to keep your loved ones safe,
and help them and you enjoy the summer, here are a few survival
tips:
WATER, WATER, WATER, I can't say enough about the stuff. Water
is essential for temperature control, cell hydration, and for
every bodily function. Dehydration is a serious problem for
older adults. Statistically, an older adult who is hospitalized
for dehydration (primarily from a long-term care facility) is at
higher risk for death within one year, and the risk increases
with age.
Keep a sport bottle of water handy and remind your loved ones to
drink up. Unless the doctor has imposed a fluid restriction,
encourage at least 2 quarts a day. Water is the best choice but
clear juices work well too. For loved ones that balk at drinking
plain water, mix together half water and half juice. Avoid
caffienated beverages, they act as diuretics and rid the body of
precious fluid.
Heed air quality reports. Poor air quality will exacerbate
breathing problems. Maintain your loved ones in air-conditioned
environments. Avoid outdoor forays unless going from an
air-conditioned car to an air-conditioned building. Remember to
bring along plenty of water!
Do not spend time outside in the heat. Heat exhaustion, or
hyperthermia, can come on rapidly in older adults. Signs to
watch for include fatigue, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and/or
confusion. Hyperthermia is a life threatening condition and a
medical emergency.
With knowledge and good planning you and your older loved ones can enjoy the summer together. Remember, as caregivers your
health is important too, so apply the tips above to yourselves.
Drink plenty of water, stay indoors when the air quality is poor,
and avoid the heat. Do yard work or outdoor exercise early in
the morning and remember to carry water wherever you go.
Enjoy!
By Mary C. Fridley RN, C
Mary is a registered nurse certified in gerontology with more
than twenty years in the geriatric health field. She is the owner
of Gero-Resources specializing in caregiver, eldercare, and
successful aging education. She provides staff and community
education as well as motivational speaking engagements. Mary is
also an author of two caregiver advice columns and contributes
articles to various websites. She will be happy to answer your
questions or concerns while maintaining your anonymity. She can
be reached at Gero-Resources, P.O. Box 4743, Crofton, MD 21114 or
at geroresources@hotmail.com
Links
Depression And Delusions
Tightly Linked In Alzheimer's
www.docguide.com
Delusions and
depression are strongly associated in Alzheimer's disease, and
management of both of these conditions must be taken into account
in patients with Alzheimer's.
Book Review
"Losing My Mind," by Thomas DeBaggio
Just
recently I read the book, "Losing My Mind
," by Thomas DeBaggio. I read it the
lazy way, audio style. It is a book I feel all caregivers
should read.
Mr. DeBaggio was diagnosed with the disease at age 57. He has
written exactly what it feels like to have the disease. He
takes you on a journey into his mind and you get a glimpse of
what the world is like as an Alzheimer's patient sees it. At
end of most of the chapters information is given about the
disease which is very concise and easy to understand.
Want to Chat?
The
Gathering Place is open Monday through Friday at the following
times:
9pm-11pm EST
8pm-10pm CST
7pm-9pm MST
6pm-8pm PST
The Gathering Place - Online Alzheimer's Caregiver Support
www.TheRibbon.com/GatherPlace
The chat is web based so anyone can join in no matter where you
are. The people there will give you all the support you need. If
you need help entering the chatroom, please send an email or
Instant Message to PHOTOLJT@aol.com.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Another
web based support chat is at www.ec-online.net. The
schedule is as follows:
Enter the chatroom from the front page of either website or at http://www.ec-online.net/chat.htm. All times are U.S.
Eastern Standard Time (GMT +5). We have begun to provide chats
that are hosted by caregivers in Australia. Australian times are
GMT +10.
June 17 (Monday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Bubblehead's Chatroom:"
Host Edyth Ann Knox leads a supportive chat group for dementia
caregivers on the topic of "Caregiving for People with
Dementia."
June 19 (Wednesday 5:00 to 7:00AM EST) "Ozcarers' Chatroom (or
Pong's Place):" Hosts Pongfoot (David) and Splash (Edith)
welcome caregivers from around the world to drop in and put their
feet up for a while, chat with other caregivers and " Take a
Break."
June 19 (Wednesday 1:00 to 2:00PM EST) "Sugarlips' Chatroom:"
Host Vicki Gardner welcomes caregivers for a social and
networking discussion group on the topic of "Expressing Our
Emotions."
June 19 (Wednesday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Bubblehead's
Chatroom:" Host Edyth Ann Knox leads a supportive chat group
for dementia caregivers on the topic of "Caregiving for People
with Dementia."
June 20 (Thursday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Sugarlips' Chatroom:"
Host Vicki Gardner welcomes caregivers for a social and
networking discussion group on the topic of "Expressing Our
Emotions."
June 24 (Monday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Bubblehead's Chatroom:"
Host Edyth Ann Knox leads a supportive chat group for dementia
caregivers on the topic of "Caregiving for People with
Dementia."
June 25 (Tuesday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Children of Aging
Parents:" Host Brian Duke from CAPS and the Institute for Aging
at the University of Pennsylvania leads a discussion for family
caregivers seeking understanding and resources.
June 26 (Wednesday 5:00 to 7:00AM EST) "Ozcarers' Chatroom (or
Pong's Place):" Hosts Pongfoot (David) and Splash (Edith)
welcome caregivers from around the world to drop in and put their
feet up for a while, chat with other caregivers and " Take a
Break."
June 26 (Wednesday 1:00 to 2:00PM EST) "Sugarlips' Chatroom:"
Host Vicki Gardner welcomes caregivers for a social and
networking discussion group on the topic of "Expressing Our
Emotions."
June 26 (Wednesday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Bubblehead's
Chatroom:" Host Edyth Ann Knox leads a supportive chat group
for dementia caregivers on the topic of "Caregiving for People
with Dementia."
June 27 (Thursday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Sugarlips' Chatroom:"
Host Vicki Gardner welcomes caregivers for a social and
networking discussion group on the topic of "Expressing Our
Emotions."
July 1 (Monday 9:00 to 11:00PM EST) "Bubblehead's Chatroom:"
Host Edyth Ann Knox leads a supportive chat group for dementia
caregivers on the topic of "Caregiving for People with
Dementia."
On AOL Only
Hosted
by:
HOST iVH Phenix
Date: Tuesday
Time: 8:00 PM Edt
Place: Positive Reflections
Alzheimer's
& Dementia Caregivers Support Group
Weekly@
Friday
Time: 9 PM EDT
Place: Health Conference
Hosted By:HOST
iVH KerlyQ & HOST iVH Piper
Editor's
Note: We cannot STRESS ENOUGH how important it is to attend a
support group whether in person or online. Only those who have
been through it or are going through it can give you the support
you need. Please attend a support group soon!!
Email Bag
My significant other of many years was been diagnosed with
AD in 1998. He either doesn't believe it or completely ignores it
and I have not pushed it. He takes his aricept, does all the
shopping, cleaning etc. and is very highly functioning.
I recently took him to a major medical center close to us in
Houston to make sure I am on top of everything, and he has
undergone further extensive testing, before we even see the head
doc.
My problem is that I was told that he will be definitely TOLD in no
uncertain terms, that he has AD. I am considering not taking him
back for the results. Do you have any suggestions as to how to
handle this. He is very happy type person and has gotten tears in
his eyes the few times I have brought up the possibility that he
has it. Most of the time he ignores any possibility, but he goes
with me any time I ask him . I just don't see how it will do
any good.
He has
his few affairs in order, etc.
Any
suggestions from anyone would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jane
Congratulations, Karen & Jamie, for the success of The
Ribbon. You're doing such needed work to encourage caregivers. I've been
referring many people to The Ribbon, both caregivers who need comfort and
writers who want to share.
Mary Emma
Mary Emma Allen
Author/Illustrator/Speaker
me.allen@juno.com
http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea
Here it is, another short but sweet issue. We Thank All of You for you
patience while we dealt with the virus problem. We think we
have the greatest group of readers around!! Hopefully, we will
not have to deal with this type of problem again.
Hugs and Peace,
Karen and Jamie
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